The Christmas Season is upon us. Here at the Marlin household, Christmas preparations begin in October. Every October I begin my Christmas gift shopping. Seventy-five percent of it is usually finished by Thanksgiving. By December 15th all is bought, wrapped, and placed in various places throughout the house. Food items are shut up tight so that Maggie will not eat them, sturdy square boxes are left in the closet so that Dingles will not use them to sharpen her nails, and the rest are placed precariously under the tree to endure the nosey fingers of passerbys. Lee and I have a Christmas tradition of opening our gifts to each other on a random, spontaneous evening during the week before Christmas Day after Cole is in bed. It is an intimate and special time for us to share our love with one another. Gifting is split at least twice among either sides of the families, but this year it is split thrice. On Sunday, gifts were given to Lee's parents, grandpa, and Cole at our house. Christmas Day will be spent in Berryville with my parents, grandma, and brother. Then, the following Saturday will be spent in DeQueen with Lee's family again, which will also include his sister and her family. What wonderful opportunities to spend time with our families this season! Pictures to follow...

Until then,
Sonya